Helping Japan

A man consoles a woman after she saw only the base of her house left in Noda village, northern Japan, Monday, March 14, 2011. (The Yomiuri Shimbun / Yoichi Hayashi)

Relief efforts began soon after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit Japan, triggering a tsunami. The most recent reports put death-toll estimates above 10,000.

For a list of organizations accepting donations, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

A number of other national charities are also raising funds for Japan, including:

Customers of most large wireless phone companies can text:

The Salvation Army has allocated $75,000 to support the relief effort. Donations to its 2011 Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund can be made at SalvationArmy.ca/japan, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769), or via mail to The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON M4H 1P4.

The Canadian Red Cross is also encouraging Canadians to support relief, evacuation and emergency response efforts with donations to its Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami fund. Those wishing to make donations can call 1-800-418-1111.

You can also help fundraising efforts for Japan by contacting [e-mail].

A Plates4Japan fundraiser is planned for April 12, and a Ganbare Japan concert fundraiser for April 19.